Staff

Jim Paslay - Senior Pastor

Bro. Jim Paslay comes to Grove FBC from Henryetta FBC after 17 years of ministry. He grew up in Skiatook and attended college at NEO A&M in Miami. Jim received his Bachelor’s Degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO in 1982. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft.Worth, TX and graduated with a Master’s of Divinity in 1986. Bro. Jim has previously served as Pastor of churches in Martha, Maysville and Henryetta before coming to Grove. Jim and his wife, Lorie, have been married since January of 1981. They have three grown daughters, Erin, Emily and Courtney. They are blessed with one special granddaughter, Rylee. Jim loves sports and is an avid OU fan. He also enjoys reading and playing golf.

Earl Cumbie - Minister of EducationEarl joined the staff of GFBC in August 2009 as Minister of Education. Earl graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas with a Bachelor Degree in Religious Education. He also received a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.He previously served churches at First Baptist, Hope, Arkansas; Wynne Baptist, Wynne, Arkansas and Knoll Baptist, Fort Worth, Texas. He has been a associational and state conference leader in Sunday School Leadership Training, Discipleship Training, Vacation Bible School and Children’s Bible Drill.Earl is a native Texan. He was born in Floydada, Texas and graduated high school from Crosbyton, Texas. Earl was ordained in 1999 by First Baptist, Hope, Arkansas. Melony, Earl’s wife has the same degree as Earl from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Melony is assistant librarian at Grove’s Public Library. Earl and Melony like to travel, garden, and antique together.

Thomas Nelson - Minister to Students/Church Administrator

Thomas and his family joined the First Baptist family in March 2007 and started working with the Children's Ministry's Terrific Tuesday Program. He became Children's Minister later that summer. Thomas accepted God's call to become Youth Minister at First Baptist in July of 2012. Previous to becoming Children's Minister at First Baptist, Thomas was a Youth Minister in Tulsa for 15 years. His passions are God, family, church life, and Boomer Sooner football. Thomas' wife, Crissy, is his childhood sweetheart he met at church in grade school. God has blessed them with two wonderful daughters, Alix and Chace. Thomas loves 80's one hit wonder bands and reading John Grisham. He has really been blessed with the opportunity to forge relationships with youth and children and teaching them God love's them and their families.